ABTA Responds to Consultation on Above Cost Credit/Debit Card Charges

2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — ABTA – the Travel Association has submitted its formal response to the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills’ (BIS) Consultation on above cost credit/debit card charges. ABTA opposes the Department’s proposals to bring forward to 2013 a ban on above cost credit/debit card charges nor does it agree the policy changes should… Read the full news article

Tnooz Feature: How Social Media is Changing Hospitality

Tnooz Feature: How Social Media is Changing Hospitality

2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Over the many centuries that the hospitality industry has existed, technology has rarely changed the way that hotels interact with guests during their stay. The last major disruption was the in-room telephone, which allowed guests to call the front desk with a complaint or request. Now, with the advent of smart phones… Read the full news article

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V Recognized for Sixth Year as One of the Best Hotel Spas in Europe

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V Recognized for Sixth Year as One of the Best Hotel Spas in Europe

Travel + Leisure readers vote for Le Spa once again Paris, France – 2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — For the sixth consecutive year, the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel George V has been named one of the Best Hotel Spas in Europe by the US magazine Travel + Leisure. The ranking, published annually, is determined by the votes of readers, who are invited to complete… Read the full news article

PREFERRED HOTEL GROUP ANNOUNCES GROWTH OF 65 NEW MEMBERS TO-DATE IN 2012

Third Quarter Sees Continued Increase in Reservations, Significant Milestone in Paris, and Enhancement of Preferred Pride CHICAGO – 2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Preferred Hotel Group™, a global provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to independent luxury hotels, welcomed 24 new members during the third quarter of 2012, bringing year-to-date growth to 65 new member hotels. The… Read the full news article

IHG to introduce Managed Service Centre for hotels in Russia and the CIS

2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — IHG has announced plans to establish a managed service centre that will provide support services for its hotels as it grows Russia and the CIS. Once it is open (most likely around March 2013) the Moscow-based centre will enable IHG hotels to access specialised clustered (non-guest facing) services including sales and marketing,… Read the full news article

New edition of the LH Magazin app sets plane enthusiasts’ pulse rates soaring

2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — With a whole host of video clips, animations and interactive features, the new edition of the LH Magazin app opens up the exciting world of the Lufthansa fleet, which currently comprises around 400 aircraft. The special edition of the Lufthansa Magazin app presents in detail the 16 aircraft types of the current… Read the full news article

Canada Specialist Program breaks the 10,000-member barrier

Travel agents around the world are flocking to sign up for CTC’s education tool

Travel agents around the world are flocking to sign up for CTC’s education tool 2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Canada, your number’s up…and up and up. The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s state-of-the-art tool for the travel trade around the world now has more than 10,000 fully certified agents, and there is no sign of the education momentum… Read the full news article

The Chairman and CEO of Air France visits Brazil

2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Focusing on the Brazilian market, Alexandre de Juniac, Chairman and CEO of Air France, was in the country on October 17th to visit the local company operations, in addition to meeting partner companies. On this occasion, the CEO took the opportunity to discuss possible network developments such as the introduction of A380… Read the full news article

Conrad Macao Adds Plush to ‘Pink Revolution’

Conrad Macao, Cotai Central will be launching a series of ‘pink experiences and collectibles’ from October 1, till November 30, 2012, in support of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s Pink Revolution. Credit: Conrad Hotels & Resorts.

Luxury hotel ‘thinks pink’ to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer MACAO – 2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — Conrad Macao, Cotai Central will be launching a series of ‘pink experiences and collectibles’ from October 1, till November 30, 2012, in support of the Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s Pink Revolution. This is an annual breast cancer awareness and… Read the full news article

GBTA Forecasts Continued Growth in Business Travel Spend in China as Domestic Demand Increases

Chinese Authorities Rebalance Economy Towards Domestic Growth to Counteract Impact of Euro crisis Beijing – 2012-10-18 — /travelprnews.com/ — GBTA announces the results of its second GBTA BTI™ Outlook – China report, a semi-annual analysis of one of the largest business travel markets in the world. The report, sponsored by Visa, includes the GBTA BTI™, an index of business… Read the full news article

Hilton Naples Appoints Niccole Neebling As Director Of Sales, Catering & Marketing

Hilton Naples today announced appointment of Niccole Neebling as Director of Sales, Catering & Marketing. Credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts

NAPLES, Fla. – 2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Naples today announced appointment of Niccole Neebling as Director of Sales, Catering & Marketing. Clark Hill, general manager, Hilton Naples, said, “We are fortunate to have an experienced professional like Niccole Neebling leading our sales and marketing efforts. Niccole fulfills the Hilton Brand Promise with her commitment to… Read the full news article

Five Marriott Hotels are Recognised as Europe’s Best at the World Travel Awards

LONDON – 2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Five Marriott hotels in Europe have walked off with top industry awards at this year’s much-anticipated World Travel Awards.  The awards, voted for by travel professionals and consumers worldwide, showcase and reward excellence in all areas of the travel and tourism industry. The Marriott hotels singled out for their contribution to… Read the full news article

INVESTMENT, INNOVATION, INSPIRATION – GROWING YOUR TOURISM BUSINESS IN ENGLAND

Attend VisitEngland’s Visitor Economy Forum and find out how to boost your bottom line in 2013 and beyond 2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Following the success of last year’s event, VisitEngland is hosting a second Visitor Economy Forum in London on 22 November 2012, in association with Natwest Bank plc. The one-day conference provides an opportunity for… Read the full news article

Preferred Hotel Group Wins TTG Travel Awards 2012

Winner of Best Hotel Representation Company Category HONG KONG, 2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Preferred Hotel Group™, a family-owned company that provides sales, marketing, and distribution services to independent hotels and resorts around the world has been awarded ‘Best Hotel Representation Company’ at the 23rd TTG Travel Awards 2012. TTG Travel Awards recognizes the very best of… Read the full news article

TORONTO PEARSON ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR

Toronto—2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Board of Directors of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Vijay Jeet Kanwar as Chair of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2013. Mr. Kanwar has been a member of the Board of Directors since May 2006.  He was appointed by the Province… Read the full news article

Get ready, get set—snow!

Get ready, get set—snow!

CTC entices consumers in emerging markets of South Korea, Mexico and Brazil with Canadian winter adventures 2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Winter is coming, and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC)’s emerging markets are already dusting off the snow boots to get ready with new campaigns. High-yield travellers are the focus in each of the three markets, especially… Read the full news article

ADAC reveals Falcon Aviation Services as the Gold Sponsor for Abu Dhabi Air Expo

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) revealed today the first official partner of the second annual General Aviation Exhibition in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi Air Expo, to be Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) as the event’s Gold Sponsor. The event will take place during 5th-7th March 2013 at Al… Read the full news article

THAI Chooses agoda.com to Introduce Hotel Booking Services

2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ — Thai Airways International Public Company Limited and agoda.com announced the signing of an agreement that offers THAI customers direct access to more than 200,000 hotels from agoda.com’s worldwide hotel inventory. Through a hotels tab on the THAI homepage http://www.thaiairways.com, customers can book accommodation through agoda.com, which offers services in 37 different languages, including… Read the full news article

Sabre Hospitality Solutions Sweeps 2012 Website Award Competitions

Sabre awarded for outstanding achievement in web development from the  Website Marketing Association and International Academy of the Visual Arts Southlake, Texas,  2012-10-17 — /travelprnews.com/ —  Sabre Hospitality Solutions, the industry’s leading global hospitality technology company, claimed a total of 29 awards for outstanding achievement in web development as part of this year’s Website Marketing Association’s… Read the full news article

Travel Conference will recognize tourism achievements

Lt. Gov. Sheehy, two state senators to attend LINCOLN, NEB.- 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Winners of the Nebraska Tourism Industry Awards will be announced during the Nebraska Travel Conference Oct. 24-25 at the Gering Civic Center in Gering. The awards recognize the year’s outstanding tourism campaign, outstanding tourism association, best events in small and large communities,… Read the full news article

Brand USA Announces Travel Agent Fam Photo Competition

LONDON, 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Brand USA, the new tourism marketing body for the United States of America, has announced the launch of a travel agent photo competition in the UK and Ireland. As part of the competition, the website  www.famphotousa.co.uk, has been launched where agents from the UK and Ireland can upload photographs they have taken on… Read the full news article

SFO’s 13th Annual Runway FOD Walk

200 Volunteers Invited to Walk the Runways SAN FRANCISCO — 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — San Francisco International Airport will host its 13th annual Runway FOD Walk on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. PDT. Two hundred airport and airline employee volunteers are invited to participate in this year’s Runway FOD Walk.  The purpose of… Read the full news article

Hartsfield-Jackson honored for contribution to Gateway Center

Atlanta Regional Commission cites rental car center, ATL SkyTrain in project’s success ATLANTA – 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport received a Development of Excellence Award Honorable Mention/“Exceptional Merit for a Public-Private Partnership” from the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) at its State of the Region breakfast on Friday. The award honored the Airport and other… Read the full news article

Hilton Worldwide Joins Feeding America and The Global FoodBanking Network to Minimize Food Waste and Alleviate Hunger

Hilton Worldwide Joins Feeding America and The Global FoodBanking Network to Minimize Food Waste and Alleviate Hunger

Hotels launch pilot food donation systems in nine markets on World Food Day MCLEAN, Va. – 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Today, on World Food Day, Hilton Worldwide announced multi-year partnerships with Feeding America and The Global FoodBanking Network to secure food and reduce hunger in communities where it operates around the globe. The collaborations will enable… Read the full news article

FAA Reauthorization and Sustainability Mandates to be presented by Christa Fornarotto, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports at 5th Annual Airports Going Green Conference

FAA Associate Administrator Christa Fornaratto who will discuss FAA's growing list of sustainability related initiatives at the 2012 Airports Going Green in Chicago.

CHICAGO, 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is pleased to announce that this year’s Airports Going Green Conference will feature FAA Associate Administrator Christa Fornaratto who will discuss FAA’s growing list of sustainability related initiatives. Joining Ms. Fornarotto will be Ralph Thompson, FAA Manager, Airports Planning and Environmental Division. The FAA has embarked on a number… Read the full news article

Southwest Airlines Names Senior Vice President of Labor Relations

VETERAN PILOT AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERT IN AVIATION AND LABOR RELATIONS RANDY BABBITT JOINS CARRIER’S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM DALLAS – 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) proudly welcomes J. Randolph “Randy” Babbitt as Senior Vice President of Labor Relations to direct and oversee the carrier’s labor related activities.  Babbitt will report directly to Chief Operating… Read the full news article

Chicago Cultural Plan 2012 Unveiled

New Cultural Plan was Developed Over Months of Meetings with Stakeholders and Community Members Across Chicago; Community Input Led Directly to a New Initiative to Develop an Arts Education Plan for Chicago Public Schools Mayor’s Press Office    312.744.3334 press@cityofchicago.org CHICAGO – 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events… Read the full news article

Maldives welcomes the first tourist to the 40th year of Tourism

Maldives welcomes the first tourist to the 40th year of Tourism

2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Maldives extended a warm welcome to the 1st visitor to its 40th year of Tourism, on 3rd October 2012. Mr. Wai Shing Kwok, a Hong Kong citizen arrived Maldives by Sri Lankan Airlines flight which was the first flight to arrive on the 3rd October, landed at 0045hrs. This day is celebrated… Read the full news article

AIANTA selects AOT Staffer for Excellence in Customer Service Award

2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Dawn Melvin, the Arizona Office of Tourism’s (AOT) Tribal Tourism Relations Manager, has been recognized as the recipient of the Excellence in Customer Service award by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA). AIANTA is a nonprofit association of American Indian tribes and tribal businesses organized in 1999 to advance Indian Country tourism…. Read the full news article

Ryanair Cabin Crew Charity Calendar 2013 On Sale Now

RYANAIR ANNOUNCES POLISH CHARITY PARTNER FOR 2013 CABIN CREW CALENDAR UP TO €100,000 PROCEEDS TO HELP TVN FOUNDATION (WARSAW) 2012-10-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Ryanair, Europe’s only ultra-low cost airline, today (16 Oct) announced TVN Foundation (Warsaw, Poland) as its chosen charity partner for the 2013 Ryanair Cabin Crew Charity Calendar, which it’s hoped will raise up… Read the full news article